Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Friday & Thursday
Happy New Year from the Northwest Avalanche Center! Another mostly sunny day is in store across the PNW with the exception of some localized low cloud or valley fog along the east slopes and Cascade Passes.
Warm air off to the west should work slightly further into the west slopes of the Cascades today, with multiple freezing levels likely. The warmest conditions along with the lightest winds should once again be found in the Olympics and north Cascades west of the crest and at upper elevations. Moderate east-southeast winds will continue for the Cascade Passes and central/south Washington Cascades, strongest down at Mt. Hood.
As the upper level high pressure center slides east later this weekend, the upper low over CA/NV will slowly migrate north into Oregon on Saturday. The air mass will cool and freezing levels should slowly lower for all areas through Saturday night.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Mostly clear with areas of low clouds near the Cascade Passes. Warmest away from the Cascades Passes. Moderate east-southeast winds central and south Washington Cascades and Passes. |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Mostly clear. Gradual cooling Saturday afternoon and night. Moderate east-southeast winds central and south Washington Cascades and Passes. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Friday |
Mostly sunny with areas of valley fog and low level clouds near the Passes. Slight warming, especially northeast Cascades in the alpine. |
| Friday Night - Saturday Night |
Mostly clear. Gradual cooling Saturday afternoon and night. Moderate east winds central and south Washington Cascades and Passes. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Friday |
Mostly sunny and cold with moderate to strong east-southeast winds. |
| Friday Night - Saturday Night |
Mostly clear. Winds moderating. |
Issued: 7:25 AM PST Friday, January 1, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | Freezing Level * | 9000' | 9000' | 1000' | ' | ' | 1000' | ' | 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Freezing Level * | 9000' | 9000' | 4500' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 1500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | Freezing Level * | 7000' | 7500' | 2000' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Freezing Level * | 5500' | 5500' | 2000' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 1000' |
| Saturday Night | Freezing Level * | 4000' | 3500' | 500' | ' | ' | 500' | ' | 500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
* Easterly flow in the Cascade Passes can cause locally lower Snow or Freezing levels than areas further west.
Freezing Level is when no precipitation is forecast.
Precipitation Forecast
| Thursday | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
LT = less than; WE or Water equivalent is the liquid water equivalent of melted snow in hundredths of inches. As a rough approximation 1 inch of snow = about .10 inches WE, or 10 inches of snow = about 1 inch WE.
Issued: 7:25 AM PST Friday, January 1, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | SE 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 | SE 15 - 30 | --- - | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday | ESE 5 - 15 | ESE 0 - 10 | SE 15 - 30 | --- - | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | ESE 10 - 20 | ESE 5 - 15 | SE 20 - 40 | --- - | SE 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday | SE 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night - Saturday | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday | E 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night - Saturday | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday | SE 15 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday | SE 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | SE 20 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SE 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday | SE 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night - Saturday | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday | E 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night - Saturday | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday | SE 15 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday | SE 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | SE 20 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SE 10 - 20 |
Directions above indicate the direction the wind blows from on the 16-point cardinal scale. These winds indicate "free" winds, or those winds in the atmosphere not influenced by terrain. Topographical effects may produce greater or lower wind speeds in certain locations as well as significant variations in direction.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | SE 0 - 10 | ESE 0 - 10 | SE 20 - 30 | --- - | ESE 40 - 50 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | ESE 0 - 10 | ESE 5 - 15 | ESE 15 - 25 | --- - | SE 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 | ESE 10 - 20 | ESE 20 - 30 | --- - | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | E 10 - 20 | SE 15 - 25 | SE 30 - 40 | --- - | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday | SE 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday | SE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | SE 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday | ESE 40 - 50 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SE 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 15 - 25 |
Directions above indicate the direction the wind blows from on the 16-point cardinal scale. These winds indicate "free" winds, or those winds in the atmosphere not influenced by terrain. Topographical effects may produce greater or lower wind speeds in certain locations as well as significant variations in direction.
Issued: 7:25 AM PST Friday, January 1, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday
A weak system off the coast should begin to spread clouds northward during the day Sunday. Some light precipitaiton is possible later Sunday for Mt. Hood and south Washington Cascades, with precipitation spreading to all areas Sunday night.
Light showers on Monday should be followed by a weak splitting frontal system Tuesday. Snow levels should begin to moderate early next week.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area
SundayIncreasing clouds Sunday and becoming mostly cloudy. Slight chance of light rain and snow Sunday afternoon south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood.
Sunday Night - MondayOccasional light rain and snow becoming light showers Monday.
Monday Night - TuesdayMostly cloudy with periods of light rain and snow.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday - Sunday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 500' - 1500' | 500' - 1500' | * |
| Monday - Monday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 2000' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | * |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 3000' - 4000' | 4500' - 5500' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
* Easterly flow in the Cascade Passes can cause locally lower Snow or Freezing levels than areas further west.
Freezing Level is when no precipitation is forecast.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Dec 31, 2015
The NWAC program is administered by the USDA-Forest Service and operates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle. NWAC services are made possible by important collaboration and support from a wide variety of federal, state and private cooperators.